Borghetto Santo Spirito's ’In This World of Thieves“ float is the winner of the Palio dei Comuni, the carnival competition held today, Sunday, Feb. 26, as part of the 2023 edition of CarnevaLöa, the big carnival event organized by the Vecchia Loano association with the contribution of the Loano Municipality's Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports.
This afternoon the second parade of floats was held on the waterfront. During the parade, the Palio dei Comuni (Palio of Municipalities) was held, in which the floats of the coastal and inland municipalities participating in the event and the winner of the Palio dei Borghi of Loano (out of competition) took part. The floats made by master papier-mâché artists from neighboring municipalities were Cars & Plans (from Albenga's Drift Kart Track), Bardineto nel Cuore (Bardineto), The Ice Age (Varazze), and In This World of Thieves (Borghetto Santo Spirito).
For Loano, however, there were Wednesday (from Via Dante and Roba da Matti Group), Loa Wimbredon (Meceti), Il giramondo (Borgo di Dentro), Il carosello dei Bambini (Gazzi Superiori No Stop, winner of the Palio dei Borghi), L'Isola che non c'è (Matetti Burdeluzi dei Mazzocchi). Also present were La fattoria (Conad di Toirano) and Le Case Parlanti (A Maina de Loa-Fondocasa). Opening the parade were the Clock Tower and Palazzo Doria float with the Loanese masks (U Beciancin, Capitan Fracassa, Puè Pepin and Princess Doria of the Castle) and the “Beccian Car,” the “rigadera” or watering can-shaped car, i.e., the symbol of Beciancin (both floats are by the Vecchia Loano association).
Kicking off the event, which took place despite windy weather and light rain, was Liguria Regional President Giovanni Toti, who after a quick tour of the floats ready for departure and a quick chat with volunteers and the “papier-mâché artists” who made them “cut the ribbon” along with Mayor Luca Lettieri and representatives of the Loano municipal administration, regional councilor Angelo Vaccarezza, Vecchia Loano President Agostino Delfino, and Mariela Nunez, Miss Liguria 2022.
The floats, made by carnival artisans and inspired by cartoons, current events and satire, set off at 3 p.m. from Mazzini Square, traveled along Corso Roma and reached Cadorna Square, where they turned around to return to their starting point. The City of Ventimiglia marching band and “U Burgo di Ventimiglia” flag-wavers also participated. Stefania Vivioli conducted.
“The Talking Houses” was awarded the Originality Award, while “Cars & Plans” took the Fantasy Award and fourth place in the standings. “Bardineto in the Heart” float took second place in the standings, while “Ice Age” from Varazze took second. Winner of the Palio dei Comuni, as mentioned, is “In This World of Thieves” from Borghetto Santo Spirito.
